See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

This is the first for me with this posting. Last evening I experienced a very bad migraine and had to eventually go to the ER. I was diagnosed with RA at age 38. I am 42 now. I have done everything that doctors tell me. RA has just consumed my life. I try to stay very positive, but today I have been crying all day. I am just overwhelmed. I see all my friends out and about with their kids and family while I am sick, sick, sick. It breaks my heart that I can't do all the 'mom' things that I used to. I fight fatigue and pain all the time. Sometime I wonder if I can live this way forever. I have tried and failed so many medicines. I have terrible side effects. I have had terrible anxiety and I am sure that I am depressed. I qualified for SS Disability. While I am grateful for that....at the same time I am so sad that I can't do my past career of 18 years. I tried homeopathy and that did not work. Acupuncture helps temporarily. Maybe I just needed to cry and vent today. I have failed so many drugs and my doctor has suggested rituxan. I am scared of it for some reason. Anyone have any input about rituxan? Thanks for any input. God Bless you:) Tomorrow will be better.

Thanks for your Reply!

5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Overwhelmed with RA todayThis is the first for me with this posting. Last evening I experienced a very bad migraine and had to eventually go to the ER. I was diagnosed with RA at age 38. I am 42 now. I have done everything that doctors tell me. RA has just consumed my life. I try to stay very positive, but today I have been crying all day. I am just overwhelmed. I see all my friends out and about with their kids and family while I am sick, sick, sick. It breaks my heart that I can't do all the 'mom' things that I used to. I fight fatigue and pain all the time. Sometime I wonder if I can live this way forever. I have tried and failed so many medicines. I have terrible side effects. I have had terrible anxiety and I am sure that I am depressed. I qualified for SS Disability. While I am grateful for that....at the same time I am so sad that I can't do my past career of 18 years. I tried homeopathy and that did not work. Acupuncture helps temporarily. Maybe I just needed to cry and vent today. I have failed so many drugs and my doctor has suggested rituxan. I am scared of it for some reason. Anyone have any input about rituxan? Thanks for any input. God Bless you:) Tomorrow will be better.

Rituxan (rituximab) in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately- to severely- active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies.In my practice, I will consider Rituxan after failure of 2 or 3 TNF's such as Humira, Enbrel and Remicade as well as other biologics such as Orencia and Actemra. There is a new oral agent that has been recently FDA approved called Xeljanz. It may have similar effectiveness to the biologics. Your doctor can be helpful in discussing the beneftis of Rituxan versus the potential risks. Many of my patients deal with depression and other issues from their chronic disease. I often try to have them see doctors/specialists who can be of help in controlling that aspect of their illness and work together to come up with the best treatment regimen.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Overwhelmed with RA todayRituxan (rituximab) in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately- to severely- active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies.In my practice, I will consider Rituxan after failure of 2 or 3 TNF's such as Humira, Enbrel and Remicade as well as other biologics such as Orencia and Actemra. There is a new oral agent that has been recently FDA approved called Xeljanz. It may have similar effectiveness to the biologics. Your doctor can be helpful in discussing the beneftis of Rituxan versus the potential risks. Many of my patients deal with depression and other issues from their chronic disease. I often try to have them see doctors/specialists who can be of help in controlling that aspect of their illness and work together to come up with the best treatment regimen.

I'm sorry you are having a such hard time. I completely understand what that is like. It's depressing if you constantly don't feel good and it can wear a person down. Hopefully you find something that will work and give you some relief soon. Try to keep up your positive thoughts and have faith!! Just know you are not alone and there are those who feel for you.

I'm sorry you are having a such hard time. I completely understand what that is like. It's depressing if you constantly don't feel good and it can wear a person down. Hopefully you find something that will work and give you some relief soon. Try to keep up your positive thoughts and have faith!! Just know you are not alone and there are those who feel for you.

Hi there, sounds like a rough place to be. I have RA too, I'm 23 discovered I had it 2 years ago. It's frustrating learning you can't have your old life and doing things you used to. There is a group on Facebook it is called "But you don't look sick" there are a few thousand members on there, and they all have at least one chronic pain disease. There is so much love and support there. We discuss symptoms, medications, tell our stories, vent, and support each other. it is really great to have people that understand what you are going through. You should check it out.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Overwhelmed with RA todayHi there, sounds like a rough place to be. I have RA too, I'm 23 discovered I had it 2 years ago. It's frustrating learning you can't have your old life and doing things you used to. There is a group on Facebook it is called "But you don't look sick" there are a few thousand members on there, and they all have at least one chronic pain disease. There is so much love and support there. We discuss symptoms, medications, tell our stories, vent, and support each other. it is really great to have people that understand what you are going through. You should check it out.

just joined that group - seems like some great people in there! And honestly, I can't believe I complain about RA after reading what some of these people go through.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Overwhelmed with RA todayjust joined that group - seems like some great people in there! And honestly, I can't believe I complain about RA after reading what some of these people go through.

I know this is a long shot as your post was over 2 years ago, but did you ever try Rituxan? How did it go? How are you doing these days?

I ask because my mom is about to start Rituxan in 2 weeks, and I too for some reason am scared of it for her. I have been reading up on it, and feel like we have not gotten enough information or really know what we are getting into. (We have crappy county insurance, and so we go through the county hospital and fight to even be seen at times. That's a different issue altogether)

If you can share your experience with it, it would mean the world to me and my mom. I hope you have been doing better, and wish you nothing but a pain free day.

I know this is a long shot as your post was over 2 years ago, but did you ever try Rituxan? How did it go? How are you doing these days?

I ask because my mom is about to start Rituxan in 2 weeks, and I too for some reason am scared of it for her. I have been reading up on it, and feel like we have not gotten enough information or really know what we are getting into. (We have crappy county insurance, and so we go through the county hospital and fight to even be seen at times. That's a different issue altogether)

If you can share your experience with it, it would mean the world to me and my mom. I hope you have been doing better, and wish you nothing but a pain free day.

Related Drug Reviews

Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.